Colour is good. Now to make them cute!!

Julie

I had another chat with my cobbler, this afternoon. Now that I have my Miss Sixty boots a lovely red colour, it's time to make them cute. He says he can cut them down to duplicate the look of some cute ones I've seen.

Looking for some ideas and opinions here. Which length and style do you guys like? Which would look the cutest?

Posting some before and after of the colour, along with three possibilities for a new length.

Julie

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14 years ago

General

17 replies

Latest reply was from Lynne

Girl X

(website)

Veteran

Congrats - they look great! Are you still thinking they'll wind up under boot cut jeans?

14 years ago

Julie

Veteran

They'll be worn under jeans, yes.

Julie

14 years ago

Steph

Veteran

After all that hard work, I know I would leave the boots as is. I have to imagine it will be expensive to cut them down, right? If it were me, I would spend that money on a pair of short boots and then wear these as tall red boots.

Can you tell us what you used to strip the color off of the boots and what dye you used to get the red? The results look great.

14 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I love #4 for under jeans

14 years ago

Julie

Veteran

Steph,

I had originally planned to use Tarrago dye for my boots, like Rae had done. When I talked to my cobbler about it he said their products were good, but a couple days later suggested I consult with a woman who does custom leather bags and clothing. She imports semi finished bags, and clothes from Europe and dyes them to order. Very exclusive, and very expensive.

When I told her about my project, she had much advice for me. She wanted to see the Tarrago dyes when I got them and in the meantime gave me some of the stripper she uses. She gets it in bulk containers and gave me some in an unlabeled bottle. Unfortunately, I don't know exactly what it is, and the directions were more about safety and not blowing yourself up, or dissolving your skin. I did see that her container had Italian or Spanish labelling, and with her being so helpful didn't want to press my luck. When I showed her the dye I planned to use, she suggested something else, the same product she uses on her bags. Even picked the colour for me. She called it, "Million Vermillion" Says it will make anything look like a million dollars. She tested it on a small area of my boots, and made a slight adjustment to the colour, and sent me on my way. She didn't charge me a single penny for the stripper, the dye or her expertise. So, I will be buying a bag or jacket to match my boots from her, no question.

According to her, any fine leather worker should be able to set you up. The products are such that they can't be sold at retail, nor shipped by common carrier. Classified as dangerous goods. Sorry, I'm not giving you guys much good news.

Thanks Lyn, that's one vote for number 4. The "Caitlin ankle"

Steph, I got almost no wear out of these boots in their original configuration. Now, I can wear them with several red dresses, and cost be damned, I want them to be a cute as possible.

Thanks
Julie

So, I've sent the Tarrago back.

14 years ago

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

Another vote for style #4.

14 years ago

Steph

Veteran

Julie, thanks for all of that information. You're so lucky to have someone with such expertise who helped you! I don't purchase leather anymore, and have a lot of trouble finding boots that fit, let alone are fun colors, so I was thinking I could strip down a very old pair of leather boots and make them the color I want, but I might not have the luck you did! On the other hand, the boots are pretty old, so maybe it's worth it. Did you notice any shrinkage after all stripping and then adding the dye?

Since you want the boots to be short, I will also vote for style 4 (which actually looks almost identical to style 5, to me, except for that band and the heel, but you obviously can't change the heel on your current pair). I don't know if it will be too difficult to accomplish that foldover look with what you have--I hope not! Can't wait to see the finished product.

14 years ago

Julie

Veteran

Steph; I didn't notice any shrinkage at all. The leather stayed buttery soft through the whole procedure. they fit every bit as well as before, and still smell wonderful. That should give you an idea of how little I wore them since '05

Thanks for your vote. My cobbler said after further examination that he can duplicate the cuff detail of the Caitlins. I'm glad you like the idea of them going so short.

Random Thought. Thanks to you, too for your vote. Do you have reservations about them going so short?

So, that's three votes for Caitlin.

Thanks. Julie

14 years ago

Julie

Veteran

A couple more possibilities, here. Would love to hear your opinions and votes

Number one is a fairly simple style which I think would look good with the Miss Sixty instep detail. #2 and #3 are a front and back view of a Duo Adriana.

Thanks
Julie

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14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I love that the cobbler can duplicate some fun shaft styles! My favorites are picture #3 from the first round of photos and #2-3 from the second round. Oh, but I also like pic #4 from the first round of photos, with the little tab detail at the back of the ankle.

14 years ago

Julie

Veteran

Thanks, Rae.

So far Picture number 4 from the first batch seems to have the most votes. That is from those who are posting to the thread. I've gotten quite a few PMs suggesting, some begging me, to leave the boots long and cuffed. What's a girl to do?

Picture #3 in the first batch would be the shortest, I believe, and is an interesting shape at the top of the shaft. Picture #1 in the second batch has a toe closest to the shape of the Miss Sixty boots, and with its simple folded top might work best with the instep detail.

The tally so far seems to be running head to head for keeping them long, or chopping them down. I've decided I'm going to let the YLFers decide.

Thanks
Julie

14 years ago

Lynne

Veteran

Julie, I love the new colour - divine. I had never come across Miss Sixty until recently, when I tried on a high, high pair of brown pumps at a consignment store. They were SO comfortable! I was amazed - is this a really good brand? The thing is, I don't need sky-high brown pumps, but I am so tempted to go back and try them again because just the concept of a high, high heels that are comfy is so intriguing....

14 years ago

Julie

Veteran

Allot of what makes footwear comfortable, or not; is the engineering that goes into them. Not all high heels make your feet hurt, or make you feel uncomfortable. There are flats out there that cause pain. Miss Sixty footwear, for the most part, is a good quality Italian product. I say for the most part because these days you need to check carefully for the dreaded, "Made in China" Syndrome. I remember when "China Syndrome" merely meant a nuclear meltdown. Now, it affects something more important, my shoes and boots!!

If, when trying them on, they feel good right away, they should be OK for you. I hope you are trying them on near the end of the day.

And, since when does a girl NOT need a pair of sky-high heels, boots, pumps, or otherwise? Explain that to me, please.

Hope this has been helpful. Please don't forget to vote regarding my boot makeover thread.

Cheers
Julie

PS, any pictures of these brown pumps, or maybe a style name so we can all see them?

14 years ago

Anonymous

I'm voting for picture 4 with 2/3 a close second choice. I like that these styles fit close to your leg for wearing under jeans but maybe will work with red or brown (low contrast) tights and a frock.
Your story about dying these boots is so interesting.

14 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

I LOVE the new color. And I vote to keep them tall. I think they look great as-is!

14 years ago

Julie

Veteran

Please place your votes in the http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....t-makeover thread, please. Sorry to be a pain, but trying to keep the results all together for everyone to see. Thanks, everyone.

Julie

14 years ago

Lynne

Veteran

I'm going over to vote, keep them tall. And you've convinced me to go back and take a pic of the skyscraper shoes :).

14 years ago

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